Frieda was at a loss at what to say; her father Benton Knight the head of the town’s local were-panther pride asked her to have Eric Anderson and Spencer Lawson to attend the next gathering. A gathering that is to take place this Tuesday evening.
“Uhm are you forgetting that it is a school night for the three of us,” Frieda doing her best to find a way out of the task; “plus what about Eric and Spencer’s parents. You just can’t expect them to agree to this.”
“Frieda has a point Benton,” Lance responding; “Let us not forget that William sucker punched you good when you showed up here Friday night. He was not to pleased with you assaulting Eric. I highly doubt he is going to allow his son to be anywhere near you; despite your sudden change in demeanor.”
“I’m aware of it,” Benton barking his anger beginning to rise, “which is why I’m asking Frieda to “invite” them. I’m not ordering them over. There is a difference.”
“Problem is,” Amanda getting involved; “is that very few can discern the difference between your invites and a demands.”
Frieda is silent for a few moments; sensing Eric and Spencer comforting her is some fashion, she speaks up.
“You will most likely have to offer a formal apology to both Eric and his father; perhaps some form of monetary compensation. I would suggest you talk to Tachibana in regards to that. You do remember her words she gave you Thursday.” Frieda looking at her father; “If you so much as do anything to the Lawson or the Anderson, you will find yourself at war with the Skulk*; Tachibana’s own words.”
“I remember,” Benton looking down; “it’s not a chat I’m currently relishing having. Anything else Frieda?”
“If the Lawson’s and Anderson agree to having Spencer and Eric attend the Were-panther pride gathering,” Frieda getting serious; “then the three of us will be spending the night back at the estate. After all it is the closet location to the meeting grounds. And we will be getting rather noisy if you know what I mean.”
Lance laughs but Frieda continues, “You and mom might still not like it father, but the sooner you start accepting my life style choices then the less drama and friction there will be between us.”
******
With Benton acquiescing to Frieda’s latter condition to the three possibly being together at his home after the were-panther meeting; Frieda begins a text message to both Eric and Spencer.
‘Were-Panther Pride meeting this Tuesday; ask your parent’s permission first to attend, but I hope they do say yes. We will be sleeping over at my place afterwards. Father will most likely need to smooth some things over with the skulk and Tachibana. Eric, please convince your father to settle things with Benton.’
Frieda hits send; “now it’s up to them father.”
Minutes later Doctor Tora Tachibana and Doctor Abigail Robinson enters Amanda Knight’s room; the same room all the Knights are currently gathered in.
“Benton you already met my college here. Everyone else this is Doctor Abigail Robinson and expert in psychology and psychiatry and was the doctor that ran Benton’s tests last night.” Doctor Tora looks at Doctor Robinson; “the floor is yours.”
“Well I won’t mince words,” Doctor Robinson starts; “you will need to begin a treatment of lithium, certain anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and possibly benzodiazepines. You do have bi-polar disorder. The sooner you begin your treatments the better. I also recommend in making a point to visit a Psychiatrist regularly. I know a few I can recommend for you.”
Benton is silent for a moment before asking a question. “The ones you are about to recommend; do any have any experience dealing with anger management?” Benton thinking on the second edict from the scroll Tachibana slapped on his desk; the same scroll that summarily removed him from the council and placed his brother in it pro-tem until Frieda is twenty one*.
“Only one,” Abigail looking at her list; “Doctor Frances Twist.”
Benton gags upon hearing Frances Twist; “anyone else?”
“Yes,” Abigail sensing Benton’s disgust at hearing Doctor Twist; “but none are weres, like everyone else here in this room.” Abigail begins writing down a prescription for the medicine Benton will need to take; “This to start,” handing Benton the prescription note. “Doctor Frances Twist will adjust accordingly and schedule follow up exams. Assuming of course you are willing to see her.”
“Make the referrals then please doctor,” Benton looking at the scrip he was just given; “is that all for now? I have a couple of visits to make.”
“No that’s it,” Doctor Robinson speaks; “Doctor Tora the rest is up to you.” Doctor Robinson leaves, leaving Doctor Tora to deal with a family that looks like a sack of wet cats.
While Doctor Tora did have an uphill battle in cheering up the Knight family up, the one good news he did have was that Amanda’s recovery was going faster than anticipated. Instead of being at the hospital until Friday, he could safely discharge her on Thursday instead. However he was still refusing to allow Amanda solid food until Monday at the earliest. Leaving the room the family begins discussing what to do. Lance, Benton’s younger brother excuses himself as he needs to go back home. Explaining he has a horny were-tigress waiting for him, Benton just shakes his head and waves him off.
Benton gets up, “Frieda as soon as I get dressed, we are heading to Tachibana estate. I need to talk to the old were-vixen about a few things. Then we got to get some shopping done.”
“Shopping;” Frieda looking confused.
“Grocery shopping,” Benton answers; recalling the lack of food in the fridge at home.
* From The were-council renders judgement chapter